FORD E-350 · model year

2003 FORD E-350

59 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003FORDE-350 carries 59 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 E-350 is fuel system, diesel with 7 filings, followed by electrical system (6) and engine (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 E-350, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

59
Complaints
4
Crashes
5
Fires
4
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

59 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ENGINE4
STEERING3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS2
TIRES2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SUSPENSION1
EQUIPMENT1

Recalls (7)

08V47800018/09/2008

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

AROUND TOWN IS RECALLING 6 MY 2003 FORD E-350 AND MY 2006 E-250 WHEELCHAIR CONVERSION VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS

04V44500013/09/2004

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN. THIS CHANGE IN FILTER PAPER COMPOSITION COMBINED WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, MAY ALLOW HOT CARBON PARTICLES TO CONTACT THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT DURING CER

04V44400013/09/2004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

08V05100004/02/2008

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY

07V33600003/08/2007

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Recent Complaints

20250212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

To whom it may concern, i recently purchased a 2003 ford econoline e150 vin# [XXX] . from a private party in the state of michigan, im am being refused insurance because the van is coming up as incomplete , the van was sent and finished by Elk automotive Inc , on [XXX] MPV [XXX] they company that manufactured it ,gave it the same vin # [XXX] with completion date as [XXX] the identification sticker from Elk automotive is on the door jam and has been dot approved, i have the michigan title in my name , it says nothing about incomplete on title, but NHTSA website keeps popping up incomplete and my insurance provider wont insure it please contact me or help please. my name is [XXX] , [XXX] or by phone is [XXX] or, my email is : [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20180706SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350 PULLING A 24-FOOTER AUTO TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO REDUCE SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT USED THE TRAILER BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL FOR THE BRAKES IN 2004. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BOOSTER, MASTER CYLINDER, AND PRESSURE PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STILL SOFT AND STILL ALMOST TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

20170210CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT ON A HIGHWAY RAMP IN TOWN BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. AS I SAT WAITING, THE VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME WHILE THE BRAKES WERE STILL FULLY APPLIED! I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, JUST ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO SUDDEN AND FAST THAT MY FRONT TIRES LEFT SKID MARKS BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE FULLY APPLIED. I HAD BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL EARLIER ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT HAD DISENGAGED IT BEFORE GETTING INTO TOWN, WELL BEFORE THE RAMP TO THE STOPLIGHT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPEND WITH THIS VAN; HOWEVER, I ALSO OWN A 2001 FORD E350 VAN, AND BEFORE I STOPPED USING IT, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGING WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND REFUSING TO DISENGAGE. I HAVE REPORTED THESE INCIDENTS WITH BOTH OF MY VANS TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 160,200

20150413ENGINE

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 101,604

20150413ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 101,604

20150413ENGINE

SPARK PLUGBLOWNOUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 106,120

20150413ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPARK PLUGBLOWNOUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 106,120

20150413ENGINE

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 108,458

20150413ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 108,458

20150413ENGINE

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 136,398

20150413ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. *TR

Mileage: 136,398

20141208CrashFatalAIR BAGS

A PATIENT, 21 YEAR OLD AMBULANCE DRIVER, HAS BEEN TREATED HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI FROM 10/27/14 FOR INJURIES FROM AN AUTO ACCIDENT, SUSTAINED WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE AMBULANCE SHE WAS DRIVING. HER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, PROTECTING HER APPROPRIATELY. HOWEVER, THERE IS A METAL DISC BENEATH THE AIRBAG ON THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH WAS QUITE HOT, AND AS SHE WAS TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE, SHE SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER CHEST AND TO HER CLOTHING. THE BURNS WERE THIRD DEGREE BURNS REQUIRING SURGERY, SMALL AREA, BUT WERE SIGNIFICANT BURNS. I AM UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE HOT DISC AT THE BASE OF THE AIRBAG IS THE RESULT OF A DEFECT, OR IF IT IS PART OF THE DESIGN. I AM NOTIFYING YOU SO YOU WILL BE AWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD, AND TO TRACK THE FREQUENCY OF THIS TYPE OF INJURY. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A DEATH AND ANOTHER INJURY IN THIS ACCIDENT, THEY WERE NOT RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE HOT DISC ON THE AIRBAG MECHANISM. THE AMBULANCE IS A 2003 FORD E-350. THIS WAS THE DR

20130826FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

THE FORD E-350 VAN BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER THEN STALLED ON MD ROUTE 43. THERE WAS NO POSSIBILITY TO PULL OF THE ROAD WAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER WAITING 15 MINUTES THEN DROVE ANOTHER 2 MILES UNTIL IT STALLED AGAIN. AAA TOWED THE VEHICLE AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED. THE FUEL TANK WAS FOUND TO BE DELAMINATING AND CLOGGING THE FUEL LINES WITH SILVER STRANDS OF COATING FROM INSIDE THE TANK. A NEW TANK IS BEING ORDERED AND INSTALLED ALONG WITH CLEANING THE FUEL SYSTEM. VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NO WARNING. THIS 15 PASSENGER VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM TO PREVENT A DISASTER. MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE USED AS SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION WHICH WOULD MULTIPLY THE TRAGEDY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 231,121

20130603TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN KO TIRES, SIZE LT285-75R16, DOT PFYUUJ11. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE DRIVER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53, 8000.

Mileage: 53,800

20130418FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

LOST POWER. FILTER HEAVILY PLUGGED PARTICULATE. DROPPED TANK. BOTTOM OF TANK HAS 1/2" SILVERY FLAKES. FUEL PICK-UP SCREEN PLUGGED. BOILED AND REINSTALLED TANK. FUEL PUMP FAILURE ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER. NEW PUMP. AT 149000 MILE, NEW TANK AND MAY NEED NEW PUMP. TANK WAS DELAMINATING. *TR

Mileage: 102,375

20120131FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND PREVENT HIM FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DELAMINATING AND CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK AND TRANSFER PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 189,500

20110929FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2003 FORD CUTAWAY VAN WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CENTER OF DASH. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. SMOKE CONTINUED AND FLAMES BEGAN TO CONSUME VEHICLE UNTIL ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY HVAC SWITCH FAILURES(MELTING OF SWITCH AND OR HARNESS CONNECTOR) AND NOTICE VERY HOT WIRES TO THE SWITCH AT TIMES. FLEET CONTAINS 85 FORD E350 VEHICLES AND THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN A COMMON FAILURE. *TT

20110929FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

2003 FORD CUTAWAY VAN WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DRIVER NOTICED SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE CENTER OF DASH. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND GOT OUT OF VEHICLE. SMOKE CONTINUED AND FLAMES BEGAN TO CONSUME VEHICLE UNTIL ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY HVAC SWITCH FAILURES(MELTING OF SWITCH AND OR HARNESS CONNECTOR) AND NOTICE VERY HOT WIRES TO THE SWITCH AT TIMES. FLEET CONTAINS 85 FORD E350 VEHICLES AND THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN A COMMON FAILURE. *TT

20110927STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED A BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS DEFECT ALSO CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FAIL, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,895 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,395.

Mileage: 39,895

20110927ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED A BOLT SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS DEFECT ALSO CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO FAIL, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,895 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,395.

Mileage: 39,895

Compare 2003FORDE-350 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 FORD E-350 have?
The 2003 FORD E-350 has 59 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 FORD E-350?
Yes, the 2003 FORD E-350 has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 FORD E-350?
The most-complained component for the 2003 FORD E-350 is FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE.
Is the 2003 FORD E-350 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.